Robert C. Martin

Robert (“Bob”) C. Martin of Ridgeway, Virginia joined his Lord on April 5, 2014 after a brief illness. Bob was born on July 12, 1924 in Henry County, Virginia. Bob is survived by his wife, Billie Jones Martin, whom he joined in marriage on June 25, 1949, and who was the love of his life. He is also survived by his three daughters, Judith M. Bowman and her husband, Jerry, of Norfolk, Virginia, Kathryn M. Estep of Chesapeake, Virginia and Gwynn M. McVicker of Ridgeway, Virginia, grandchildren, Jessica McVicker Soto and her husband, Martin, Andrew McVicker and his wife, Becky, Mark Bowman, David Estep, Ryan Estep, Shannon Bowman Floyd, and her husband, Scott, Chris Bowman and his wife, Maria, and nine great grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his sister, Christine Bennett of Martinsville, his brother in law, Thomas King Jones, III, of Richmond, his sister in law, Peggy Martin, of Martinsville, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and more friends than you can imagine.

Bob was predeceased by his sister, Georgia Martin Lee, his brother, Donald Martin and his parents, Robert C. Martin, Sr. and Mary Stegall Martin.

Bob and Billie celebrated sixty five wonderful years of marriage in which they taught their family the meaning of love, honor and devotion. Bob’s happiest moments were the times he was surrounded by his family, especially celebrating Christmas during which he took particular delight in decorating the tree and displaying his Dickens Village.

Bob was a dedicated member of the Ridgeway United Methodist Church where he served as Treasurer for many years and added his beautiful voice to the choir. In his more than 65 years as a member of the Church, Bob developed close personal relationships with Church members whom he considered his church family. Bob was an active member of the Methodist Men where he seldom missed an opportunity to participate in its events.

Bob retired from banking after a distinguished 40 year career with First National Bank of Martinsville and Henry County and its successor, SunTrust Bank. The Town of Ridgeway presented him a plaque for his 38 years of service as a member of the Town Council and he was awarded the Tom Downing Fellow Award from the Ruritan National Foundation in appreciation of his unselfish personal efforts on behalf of the Ruritan Club of Ridgeway where he served as a member for many years.

Bob was an avid golfer who was a lifetime member of Forest Park County Club. He particularly enjoyed the trips that he took with his friends to Myrtle Beach and relished the memories of the several holes in one and double eagles that he made. His greatest enjoyment from golf was the times that he and Billie would play nine holes together at Forest Park.

Bob served in World War II during which he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and was sent to the Pacific Theatre. He was stationed in Okinawa before returning to the United States and being discharged in 1946.

For those who know Bob and Billie it will come as no surprise that each of them was the guiding light for the other and that no two people were more in love and dedicated to each other. Together Bob and Billie have inspired their family to live loving and meaningful lives and to treasure each moment that is given to them through the grace of God on this Earth.

The family will greet friends and family at McKee-Stone Funeral Home, 109 Broad Street, Martinsville, Virginia between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm, Monday, April 7. The funeral will be held at Ridgeway United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 78, 160 Church Street, Ridgeway, Virginia at 2 pm on Tuesday, April 8 with internment immediately following at Mountain View Cemetery, Ridgeway. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ridgeway United Methodist Church or to a charity of your choosing.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.